When you search ‘get in shape after baby’ on Pinterest or Instagram, you’re bombarded with unrealistic, discouraging and sometimes downright untrue advice.

This is the truth. You won’t snap back in two weeks, nor are you destined to never get it back, if—and this is key—you really want to get back in shape.

That’s a judgement-free statement by the way. You have to really want it, not in a Shia Lebouf Just Do It way, but in a your priorities may have changed way.

Yes, if you’re patient and are willing to put in the work, you can return to your former glory.

Get in shape after baby reality

Postpartum abs and postpartum weight loss are both popular Pinterest searches and understandably so. Pregnancy completely encompasses your life–and your middle–turning both into an unrecognizable husk of their former self.

There were so many times that I’d do a double take after seeing my profile in the mirror, or nearly tear a pair of pants I remembered as baggy–unaccustomed to the thirty-odd extra lbs I carried during twin pregnancy.

So, after you give birth, you probably think you’re gonna drop those extra lbs–and get in shape after baby pronto.

Or maybe that was just me.

But then baby comes and reality sets in. You’re tired. You’re cranky. There are suddenly only like four hours in the day…except when the baby is screaming. Then there are thirty. And, on top of all of that, you’re hungry to a degree that broccolli and turkey can’t satiate.

Don’t give up here! We can do this mama.

Here are the unconventional tips that worked for me–mentally and physically–while getting in shape after my twin pregnancy.

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Tips to get back in shape after pregnancy

go slowly

This is the exact opposite of what you want to hear when you’re pregnant.

Slowly? I want to be one of those people bikini ready in weeks.

Hear me out. It’s actually better to go slow for a couple of reasons. One, your skin. Your skin can only snap back so quickly. And while I can’t point to any studies, many a mom will agree that giving things time to ease [rather than pop] back into place is easier on dat skin.

Second, and more importantly, the risk of injury. Especially if you have diastisis recti or pelvic instability.

So yeah. Go slow. Gee, thanks mom.

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Read: How to start running from scratch

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Give yourself permission to chill

But how to be mentally okay is something else. Especially if there are activities you want to get back to that work better with your pre-preg bod like running, hiking, or playing sports.

Don’t try on your old clothes! I cycled back down through my maternity wardrobe biggest to smallest so I wouldn’t have to experience the needless flogging of trying to put on the stuff I wear at race weight.

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Try This: During pregnancy, get some easy flowy pieces that you actually want to wear–like these four dresses that were everything during my twin pregnancy. I’m still wearing these six ten months later, even though I don’t have to.

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pretend like you’re a beginner again

Pretend like you’re a beginner runner, weight lifter, zumba-er, etc. Because you are! Or at least I was.

Depending on how much time you took off while pregnant you are starting from scratch, to some degree. And while I fully admire those pregnant women who are already winning half marathons weeks after giving birth, I can assure you I wasn’t one of them.

You will get back to your old self–possibly a better version. You just got to give it time.

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Try This:  If you’re a runner be sure to avoid these four newbie mistakes…all over again!

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make time to get in shape after baby.

When you have babies you have less free time. Plus, you may want to want to exercise instead of, like, actually wanting to exercise. Am I right?

Heck, as I write this post I’m actively avoiding going out for a swim.

Thus, not only do you have to make time to workout, you have to force yourself to make time to workout. Whew! That’s a lot of energy for someone living on just a few hours of sleep.

So how can you make time to get in shape after baby? We’ve all heard general advice like work out early in the morning, plan to meet a friend, or work out with your children.

But with new babies, sometimes just getting up early doesn’t work. Especially if you’re getting up in the middle of the night!

As a new mom, I’ve gotten off my early morning kick and am still figuring out the best time to fit in training. Right now it varies–naptime, nighttime, or anytime someone else is caring for the boys.

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Try This: You better believe that when I do find any time at all, I’m utilizing all the mom time hacks at my disposal to create space for it.

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find post-baby exercise you enjoy

Maybe your fitness routine from before doesn’t do it for yoou. For me, I couldn’t imagine giving up IRONMAN Triathlon, but I’m not sure if it works in my schedule right now.

That’s a lie… it doesn’t work. It would have to be shoehorned at this stage.

It’s okay to pick something else! I IRONMANd around the world for ten years, then when I was going through fertility treatments, I switched to Crossfit to “tone things down.”

During my twin pregnancy, it was all I could do to maintain a regular walking routine. And now, ten months later, I’ve settled into Orange Theory and running.

All that to say, try to find a sport or exercise routine that you genuinely enjoy. Is that too much to freaking ask??

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Try This: Here are some exercise motivation tips for 2019 that you probably haven’t heard before!

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Exercise with your baby

Although I never found a workable one, I love the idea of a mom and baby fitness class! Working out with baby is a great way to entertain them, and knock your own training out.

My main version of exercising with the fellas is walking or running with the double stroller. Hello, walking hills is hard with that thing!

But my husband and I have also done youtube workouts where you workout with baby. It’s pretty fun!

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Find new mommy exercise buds

I’m not knocking the old ones, but when you just get cleared for walking, the last thing you need is to hit the group run with your uberfit training partners.

Pregnant, mom, or just not in ubershape friends are the perfect exercise partners for now.

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Take the long view

Trying a new activity for post-baby exercise can keep you from comparing your fitness to pre-baby you. For me, Orange Theory is a great ammalgation of strength, running, and convenience that’s hard to beat. Plus, the first time I took it on was post-baby so there’s no comparison game.

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Try This: Set the right kind of goals in 2019 to help you stick with things.

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Sign up for an event

Signing up to complete an event can be great motivation! And it doesn’t have to be something huge like a marathon. Who knows, you might even enjoy it!

Try This: 5 steps to sign up for your first race [free download]

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What creative ways have you used to get in shape after baby? Do you feel like your expectations for postpartum fitness were unrealistic, or in line with reality? Let me know in the comments!

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like this idea? pin it!

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Get in shape after baby resources

• Ultimate Guide: How to start cycling
• Find your runner personality [ to go faster]
• Top 4 worst new runner mistakes
• How does Garmin race predictor work?
• The real deal on getting back in shape after baby

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Next up: Should I run by pace or heart rate?